April 17th, 2017 by Doree

The Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., has reopened after being closed for two months for remodeling.

Improvements included upgrading the meeting room, adding a laptop bar in the teen area, combining service desks, increasing seating options, adding electrical outlets to tables, repositioning the public computers to reduce glare, and replacing the carpeting.

The boulder that extended from the outside into the children’s area was removed due to ongoing moisture problems, but will be incorporated into the new park being built across the street. The Library will close again in June or July for about a week for installation of the custom glass where the boulder used to be.

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March 17th, 2017 by Doree

The latest pop-up library event while patrons wait for the Greenwood Library to reopen after remodeling is a fun story time with crafts and dancing featuring the “Pigeon” series by children’s author Mo Willems.

It’s from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, March 24, at Illumination Learning Studios, 7720 Greenwood Ave. N., Suite 101. This event is free and open to the public, with no registration required. (Please leave strollers outside.)

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March 1st, 2017 by Doree

While the Greenwood Library is closed for renovation, librarians will host a pop-up library to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday at the Phinney Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7.

Come for the crafts, games, stories and snacks, plus books will be available to checkout.

January 30th, 2017 by Doree

A reminder that tonight (Monday), Seattle Public Library is holding an open house from 5-6 p.m. to explain more about Greenwood Library’s upcoming renovation closure, which begins on Feb. 13. City Librarian Marcellus Turner and other library staff members will be on hand.

The Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., will close temporarily for about two months for renovation. The 15,000 square foot library, which was completely rebuilt in 2005, has seen heavy use and needs new carpet and remodeling that will improve public spaces and increase access to technology.

The book drop also will close during renovations. As always, patrons can return library materials to any Seattle Public Library branch. When placing a hold on items, patrons can choose another library location for pickup. If patrons don’t select an alternate branch by Feb. 3, the library will automatically redirect holds to the Broadview Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., for patrons whose zip codes are 98177, 98133 and 98125; and to the Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave. NW for all other patrons.

The Green Lake Library, 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N., is normally closed on Fridays but will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Feb. 24 to accommodate Greenwood Library patrons. Some regular Greenwood Library programs will be provided at alternate locations. Check the Library’s calendar of events for a complete schedule.

December 7th, 2016 by Doree

Our local libraries are busy these days. Here are some things to be aware of.

Illumination Learning Studio is hosting free sessions of its “Little Movers” toddler music class from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, and 10-10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N. Each class is free but registration is required. Call the library at 206-684-4086 or register in person.

Little Movers is an introduction into the world of music for children ages 15 months to 3 years old. With 20 years of experience, Michael Piper from Illumination Learning teaches participants about echo and sequence, rhythm and movement.

“Hour of Code,” an introduction to computer science that is designed for anyone to learn coding basics, is from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N, for anyone ages 8 and up. It’s free, but registration is required. Call the Broadview Library at 206-684-7519 or register in person. Drop-ins welcome if space is available.

The library is hosting free movies for all ages at many libraries in December, including the Greenwood Library. No registration required. “Finding Dory” (PG) at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20; and “The Secret Life of Pets” (PG) at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Two organizations have joined Seattle Public Library’s Museum Pass Program, which now offers free admission to 16 Seattle museums for Library cardholders. Seattle Public Theater and Seattle Architecture Foundation Tours have been added to the list, which also includes: The Burke Museum, The Center for Wooden Boats, EMP Museum, Henry Art Gallery, The Living Computer Museum, The Log House Museum, Museum of Flight, Museum of History & Industry, Nordic Heritage Museum, Northwest African American Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Asian Art Museum and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.

You can reserve a free pass to an individual museum once every 30 days, and may use one pass per week. All passes are good for up to two people — some passes even include free admission for kids ages 17 and under. Just go the Museum Pass webpage, enter your library card number and PIN, choose a specific date, and print the pass.

Library patrons also can now set their checked out items to auto-renew. The auto-renewal system is through Library Elf, a free online service available that helps track holds and due dates.

Library Elf has recently added an automatic renewal feature. Patrons can set up a free Library Elf account and activate Auto Renew, and Library Elf will attempt to renew items on their behalf when the items are getting close to the due date. Eligible materials will automatically be renewed according to standard renewal limits. Most items can be renewed twice if no one is waiting for them.

The frequency and timing of Auto Renews will depend on what a patron has chosen in the “Advance Notice” settings of their Library Elf account. Patrons can sign up for email notifications that will note if items were renewed or not renewed, or log into their Library account to check their current due dates.

Library Elf also provides notifications for holds waiting, pre-overdue materials and overdue materials for multiple Library accounts in one message. This service is especially useful for families trying to track multiple Library accounts. The service can even combine accounts of other participating library systems, including KCLS.

The Seattle Public Library will continue its existing notice services separate from the Library Elf service, including pre-overdue and holds waiting notifications by email.

Patrons wishing to reserve a library meeting room can now do so online, for dates beginning March 1, 2017. Create a free “Spaces” account to make, edit or cancel meeting room reservations. Reservations can be made up to 120 days in advance, and you can book up to 10 hours of meeting room use per month. The “Spaces” service is available at all branch libraries, except the Central Library and the NewHolly Branch.

The Library will also be sealing a time capsule, which will be opened at the branch’s 25th anniversary in 2030. “Library patrons are invited to write a letter to their future self, describe the community, draw pictures or take photos—whatever comes to mind!” said Karen Spiel, regional manager for libraries in northwest Seattle. Templates for the time capsule can be picked up at the Greenwood Branch, and entries can be turned in to the branch through Sunday, Feb. 8.

The current Greenwood Branch opened Jan. 29, 2005. It was the 13th project completed under the 1998 voter-approved “Libraries for All” building program. The branch features an expansive view of the Cascade Mountains, tables made of wood salvaged from an American red elm, and artwork by Portland artists Fernanda D’Agostino and Valerie Otani based on Greenwood Branch patrons who posed as models.

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February 3rd, 2009 by Doree

Free tax help is available at 11 public libraries in Seattle. Trained volunteers with United Way of King County and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns (not business returns).

The Greenwood Library is not one of the 11 locations, but the nearby Ballard and Broadview branches are.

Ballard, at 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., is offering the help now through April 13, but you need to call the branch to make a reservation: 206-684-4089. Appointments are available from 4-7 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Thursday.